Rethinking the Global South beyond Cartesian dualism: the emergence of environmental awareness

Diego Crescentino, profesor ayudante doctor, Universidad de Deusto. d.crescentino@deusto.es. ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0780-199X   

Sergio Caballero, profesor titular, Universidad de Deusto. sergio.caballero@deusto.es. ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5244-1647 

Over the past few decades, the concept of the Global South has undergone a remarkable transformation, revealing a disconnect between its geopolitical dimension and its identity of resistance and resilience. This paper tracks the historical development of the concept to address the Cartesian dualism existing at present. To this end, it adopts a qualitative analysis methodology starting from a general theoretical and conceptual review to arrive at a specific agenda: the environment. This agenda enables an empirical examination of the tension between two conflicting models: extractivism, related to geopolitical dynamics; and resistance, linked to the defence of territories and communities. The paper ends with critical reflections on the manipulation of the concept of the Global South and its epistemic co-option, while opening lines of research for the future.

Keywords: Global South, geopolitics, resistance, resilience, development, environment

How to cite this article: Crescentino, Diego y Caballero, Sergio. «Repensar el Sur Global más allá del dualismo cartesiano: la emergencia de la conciencia ambiental». Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, n.º 139 (abril de 2025), p. 77-97. DOI: doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2025.139.1.77

Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, nº 139, p. 77-97
Quadrimestral (January-April 2025)
ISSN:1133-6595 | E-ISSN:2013-035X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24241/rcai.2025.139.1.77

Reception date:  23.09.24  ;   Acceptance date: 13.01.25

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